Iw Ranks Architects Of Choice

Winner To Design, Renovate Schools

December 01, 1993|By JOANN FROHMAN Daily Press

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY — Representatives from four architectural firms were interviewed by the Isle of Wight County School Board Tuesday as the board launched the second phase of its capital improvements program, which is expected to cost about $10.6 million.

A decision on which firm will be hired to design a new elementary school in Carrsville and renovate three existing schools is expected when the School Board meets Dec. 9, said Assistant Superintendent Alexander Decker.

The four architectural firms were chosen by school administrators from 16 firms that submitted proposals. Following the interviews, which were closed to the public, the board was to have ranked the firms according to their preference.

Decker said he and his staff will begin negotiating with the board's top choice today and will bring a recommendation to the board next week.

The names of the firms were not released.

In addition to replacing the 90-year-old Carrsville Elementary School, plans call for renovating and converting Smithfield Elementary School into a middle school and renovating Hardy and Windsor elementary schools.

The Board of Supervisors in October gave the board permission to begin planning its phase two capital improvements plan. Phase one of the plan cost about $11 million and included the new Carrollton Elementary School; a new Windsor High/Middle School complex currently under construction; and the construction of a new auditorium and technology center at Smithfield High School.

The Carrollton Elementary School opened in September and the Windsor High School/Middle School complex is scheduled to open in September 1994.

Construction began last week for the Smithfield High School auditorium and technology center. And construction should be complete before the start of the school year in 1994, officials said.

IMPROVEMENTS

* Proposed capital improvement projects for Isle of Wight schools:

* Smithfield Elementary School conversion and renovation: $2.3 million